More than 600 delegates from across the world are expected to attend a major international conference on oceans and the sea following confirmation that Aberdeen is to be the venue of Oceans 07.
This prestigious three-day event will take place for the first time in the UK from June 18 - 21, 2007 and confirms Aberdeen and the North-east of Scotland as a major international centre of oceans research.
Delegates will gather in Aberdeen to discuss the sea and it's associated science, resources and technology with the main theme of the event being 'Marine Challenges from coastline to deep sea'.
Some of the main strengths of Aberdeen and Scotland in marine technology include underwater optics, global observation systems and platforms, biotechnology, restoration of the marine environment, hyberbaric medicine and acoustic communications and these areas will form the core of the technical sessions.
The technical sessions and associated exhibition will be hosted at the newly refurbished and upgraded Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre (AECC) with workshops, breakout sessions and some social functions being hosted by the University of Aberdeen and by Aberdeen City Council. Special site visits will be organised to the University of Aberdeen's internationally renowned Oceanlab and Optical Engineering laboratories where current research strengths in subsea holography and deep sea landers will be highlighted
Dr John Watson of the University's Department of Engineering and Executive Chair of the meeting, said: "Both the University of Aberdeen and the City have a longstanding record in oceanology, engineering and marine science and it is fitting that Aberdeen should be awarded Oceans 07. When coupled with the considerable attractions of the City and surrounding countryside, Aberdeen is an impressive location for the conference. At the recent OES Selection Committee meeting which I attended in San Diego, the panel was unanimous in its desire to bring Oceans to Aberdeen in 2007."
The successful bid for the conference was a combined effort by the University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre and Aberdeen and Grampian Convention Bureau. The bid was supported by sponsoring organisations, including the Institute for Marine Engineering Science and Technology and The Challenger Society.
Honorary chairs of the event include Sir Ian Wood, Chairman and Chief Executive of The Wood Group, the Lord Provost, who also holds the honorary title of Admiral of the Northern Seas, and Principal C. Duncan Rice.